Philadelphia History Tour: Independence Hall & War Tent

Stand where the Declaration of Independence was signed, then step inside to see Washington's War Tent

A 2.5-hour guided walking tour of Philadelphia's Old City covers Independence Hall, Congress Hall, the Liberty Bell and Benjamin Franklin's grave, ending with entry to the Museum of the American Revolution to view George Washington's War Tent. The tour runs shared or private with a local English-speaking guide. You get a discounted ticket to explore the rest of the museum after the tour ends. Wheelchair accessible. Suitable for all fitness levels.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time spent at each9 stops

1. Independence National Historical Park20m
2. Congress Hall10m
3. Philadelphia Old City Hall10m
4. Carpenters' Hall10m
5. Museum of the American RevolutionEntry included20m
6. Elfreth's Alley10m
7. Betsy Ross House10m
8. Benjamin Franklin’s Grave10m
9. President's House10m

Explore Philadelphia's historic landmarks

• Start at Signer’s Garden statue
• See Independence Hall and Congress Hall
• View Independence Hall exterior
• Visit Congress Hall exterior
• Explore Philadelphia Old City Hall
• Learn about Liberty Bell history
• See Carpenters Hall exterior
• Visit Museum of the American Revolution
• Walk Elfreth's Alley
• Pass Betsy Ross House
• Visit Benjamin Franklin’s Grave
• See President's House

The experience

Your guide meets you at the Signer's Garden statue in Independence National Historical Park, where the tour opens with the story of the men who signed the Declaration of Independence and the US Constitution. From there you walk the cobblestone streets of Old City, passing Independence Hall itself (the building on the $100 bill where both founding documents were written) along with Congress Hall, Old City Hall and Carpenters' Hall, where the first Continental Congress convened. The guide talks through the history and the role each building played in shaping American democracy, so you're not just looking at facades. You're standing in front of the actual places where the nation was born.

The Liberty Bell gets its own stop, and your guide separates fact from myth: how this broken bell became a symbol of freedom, and how it inspired abolitionists, suffragettes and the civil rights movement long after the Revolution ended. You'll also pass Benjamin Franklin's grave on Arch Street, see the Betsy Ross House (and hear the real story behind the flag myth), and walk Elfreth's Alley, the oldest continuously occupied residential street in the United States, with architecture dating to the early 1700s. At the President's House, your guide covers both the legendary residents (George Washington and John Adams), and the enslaved people who lived there, while pointing out the active archaeological dig still happening in downtown Philadelphia.

The tour ends at the Museum of the American Revolution, where you go inside to see a presentation featuring George Washington's War Tent: the canvas shelter he lived in during much of the Revolutionary War. After that, you get a discounted ticket to return and explore the rest of the museum on your own time. A portion of the tour price goes to a local non-profit historic organization.

What’s included

• A knowledgeable local guide who speaks English.
• entry to the Museum of the American Revolution to view George Washington's War Tent presentation.
• a discounted ticket to explore the rest of the museum after the tour.
• a donation to a local non-profit historic organization on your behalf.

Options for this experience

2 options

Historic walking tour, open to the publicGuide in English · 10:30 and 14:00

Historic walking tour, privateGuide in English · 10:30 and 14:00Tour guide, private

You'll see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates and prices

Information

Lasts 2h 30m, runs every day at 10:30 and 14:00, from US$ 45 per person, with a live guide in English, in groups of up to 12 and with free cancellation up to 24 h before.

Days and timesEvery dayDepartures at 10:30 and 14:00

GroupUp to 12

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends at a different place from where it starts.

Book up to18h before

AgesAdult (12 and older) · Child (6 to 11 years): free · Infant (under 6): free

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Prices and times updated today

Good to know

Low physical effortWheelchair accessibleAccessible transportStroller-friendlyPets welcomePublic transport nearby

Operated by WeVenture

Is this one for you?Choose the public tour if you're comfortable meeting other travelers and want the standard price. Pick the private option if your group prefers to move at your own pace and have the guide's full attention. Both work equally well for a first visit to Philadelphia or a return trip focused on the founding era.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (6 to 11 years): free; Infant (under 6): free.

What's the difference between the public and private walking tour options?

The public historic walking tour is shared with other travelers. The private historic walking tour is just your group with the guide. Both cover the same sites and include the Museum of the American Revolution War Tent presentation.

Do I need to buy a separate ticket for the Museum of the American Revolution?

The tour includes entry to see the George Washington War Tent presentation inside the museum. After that, you receive a discounted ticket to explore the rest of the museum whenever you choose to return.

What is the President's House and why does the tour stop there?

The President's House is where George Washington and John Adams lived while serving as President. The tour stops there to cover both the famous residents and the enslaved people who lived at the site, and to show visitors an active archaeological dig in the middle of downtown Philadelphia.

Is this tour accessible if I use a wheelchair or have mobility concerns?

The tour is wheelchair accessible and suitable for all physical fitness levels. Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller, and service animals are allowed. Public transportation options are available near the starting point.

How much walking is involved in this 2.5-hour tour?

The tour is described as a relaxing stroll through Old City, taking time to explore the cobblestone streets and historic sites without rushing. You'll cover multiple landmarks but at a pace that allows for stories and details at each stop.

What makes the Liberty Bell significant beyond being a broken bell?

The Liberty Bell became a powerful symbol of freedom and inspired movements far beyond the American Revolution: abolitionists, suffragettes and the civil rights movement all adopted it as a symbol. Your guide explains how and why this happened during the tour.